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I responded to this article posted through LinkedIn about a veteran killed by the police in AZ. How do you feel about what happened, and the defense offered by the VA social worker? https://t.co/2qdUeJo9vp
Police
PTSD
Death
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 2
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SGT Craig Northacker, I couldn't find the article about Arizona at that link, but I Googled it and found this story:
http://www.azfamily.com/news/Arizona-veteran-suffering-from-PTSD-killed-in-confrontation-with-police-289103641.html
From what I read, it seems that Jonathon Guillory probably needed to be an in-patient or at least in regular contact with psychological care and on meds. It's another preventable tragedy, again, from what I can tell from the news stories. It seems the vet was somewhat out of control. Another sad, sad story of a vet who should be cared for, instead being killed by the police.
http://www.azfamily.com/news/Arizona-veteran-suffering-from-PTSD-killed-in-confrontation-with-police-289103641.html
From what I read, it seems that Jonathon Guillory probably needed to be an in-patient or at least in regular contact with psychological care and on meds. It's another preventable tragedy, again, from what I can tell from the news stories. It seems the vet was somewhat out of control. Another sad, sad story of a vet who should be cared for, instead being killed by the police.
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SGT Craig Northacker
Thank you for putting the correct connection in. I am having some ongoing, and I believe positive conversations - not to denigrate anyone, but to provoke thought, understanding and help develop positive change. This is one response I just shared in the LinkedIn: "I understand, and appreciate your efforts. There are many excellent employees at the VA who are as equally frustrated, and one of programs is to work with these folks to effect positive change. Secretary Shinseki was sandbagged by the not-so's, to their everlasting shame.
Another element rarely mentioned is that if we have PTSD, one of our traits is to quickly determine friend or foe. Unfortunately, and I have raised this concept in DC with top VA execs, is that when the VA gives us a hard time they in fact can become our foe-then how can they possibly help us?
One more aspect to your observations - I just saw a statement by one of the top folks on Vermont Avenue that veterans should not complete the application process on their own - they need an advocate. What a comment on a system designed to say no. How much is spent saying no? Contrary to their saving taxpayer money mantra, they simply cost a lot to say no and go through the appeal. The system almost guarantees loss of productivity for working and reintegrating by the veteran. What are the social costs borne by other Agencies for medical, unemployment, homelessness, broken families, etc etc? I tried to find these related costs with someone from the EOP, and they have been given smoke and mirrors for numbers as opposed to real usable data. The VBA budget is 18.5 Billion, benefits paid out are 11.5 Billion. What is the cost of saying no inside the VA compared to saying yes and eliminating all the other Agency costs?
Finally, the system has developed a number of unfortunate precedents, which by definition also control what findings are by the folks who are working hard at the VBA. Congress can not help that-they already wrote laws that have been lost in the translation. We need an advocacy group to help the VBA help itself - working with DOJ and the GC, to find a way to stop the madness that handcuffs everyone - the precedents that are outmoded, are contrary to Congressional Intent, and are helping destroy the quality of life for our veterans and their families - and their widows when they are refused help.Veterans in Justice group, where I found this article to begin with."
Another element rarely mentioned is that if we have PTSD, one of our traits is to quickly determine friend or foe. Unfortunately, and I have raised this concept in DC with top VA execs, is that when the VA gives us a hard time they in fact can become our foe-then how can they possibly help us?
One more aspect to your observations - I just saw a statement by one of the top folks on Vermont Avenue that veterans should not complete the application process on their own - they need an advocate. What a comment on a system designed to say no. How much is spent saying no? Contrary to their saving taxpayer money mantra, they simply cost a lot to say no and go through the appeal. The system almost guarantees loss of productivity for working and reintegrating by the veteran. What are the social costs borne by other Agencies for medical, unemployment, homelessness, broken families, etc etc? I tried to find these related costs with someone from the EOP, and they have been given smoke and mirrors for numbers as opposed to real usable data. The VBA budget is 18.5 Billion, benefits paid out are 11.5 Billion. What is the cost of saying no inside the VA compared to saying yes and eliminating all the other Agency costs?
Finally, the system has developed a number of unfortunate precedents, which by definition also control what findings are by the folks who are working hard at the VBA. Congress can not help that-they already wrote laws that have been lost in the translation. We need an advocacy group to help the VBA help itself - working with DOJ and the GC, to find a way to stop the madness that handcuffs everyone - the precedents that are outmoded, are contrary to Congressional Intent, and are helping destroy the quality of life for our veterans and their families - and their widows when they are refused help.Veterans in Justice group, where I found this article to begin with."
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Vet dies waiting for ambulance in VA http://www.koat.com/news/veteran-dies-waiting-for-ambulance-in-va-hospital-cafeteria/26779446
Veteran dies after waiting for paramedics in VA Hospital cafeteria
A military veteran died Monday after waiting for an ambulance to take him 500 yards to the emergency room.
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